First lady Melania Trump expressed hope that a humanitarian ceasefire around a city in Ukraine would inspire progress toward a “more enduring” peace, as she hosted representatives from Russia and Ukraine at the White House on Thursday.
\n\nThe unprecedented meeting came as the Trump administration pushes for progress in broader peace negotiations, with the United States set to lead renewed trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine in the United Arab Emirates next week.
\n\nSpeaking at the White House, the first lady expressed hope that the six-day ceasefire around Oleshky would inspire a peace “more enduring than a temporary ceasefire,” before praising the “highly cooperative” Russian and Ukrainian leaders for helping bring about the pause.
\n\nMelania Trump was joined by Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, who thanked her on behalf of the Russian leader. “This humanitarian mission shows what can be achieved when compassion, determination and cooperation come together,” he said.
\n\nRussia has repeatedly rejected calls for a wider ceasefire since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly five years ago.
\n\nThe limited ceasefire around Oleshky, which started Oct. 27 and lasted six days, allowed for the evacuation of hundreds of people trapped by fighting, blockades and extensive minefields, via…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/